NFF Working to Immortalising Amodu, Keshi

Keno Edhowo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced on Thursday that it is working on immortaliing coaching legends, Amodu Shaibu and Stephen Keshi, who both passed on last month.

While Amodu has been buried almost immediately after his death according to Islamic rites, Keshi is to begin his final journey home with an elaborate state burial starting in Benin City on July 27.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi reiterated this while receiving in his office yesterday, the newly-appointed National Technical Director of the federation, Mr. Bitrus Bewarang.

Amodu, the only person to have coached the Super Eagles in four different periods, was the National Technical Director before his death on Saturday, June 11.

Keshi, the longest-serving captain of the team who also coached the team to win the Africa Cup of Nations and reach the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, passed on three days earlier.

“The NFF is liasing with the government through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, with regards to the immortalisation of the two icons of our football who died last month. Both men contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria football and will never be forgotten.

“The NFF board has immense confidence in your person that you will be able to fit quite well into the shoes left by late Coach Amodu and perhaps come up with great ideas to enhance the workings of the Technical department,” Sanusi told Bewarang, who is president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association.

On Wednesday, Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf (Assistant Director, Technical) and Dr. Robinson Okosun (Head, Psychology Unit) represented the NFF at the 40th day Fidau prayer for the soul of the departed Amodu at his home town in Okpella, Edo State.

The final burial rites for late Stephen Keshi will begin on Wednesday, July 27 with a lying-in-state in Abuja, and culminate in internment at his hometown, Illa, Delta State on Friday, July 29.